Be true! Be true! Be true!

[Ella]

I, too had to read this book for school. Initially, I thought I would not like this book but after finishing it, I was surprised by how much it moved me. I didn't understand all of the symbolism at first and then was bewildered by how every little detail like the scaffold, a shooting star, the sun, the stream and more had such significance to the story. He even uses a flower in the first chapter as your guide!<br> I also had to read Hathrone's short story The Minister's Black Veil and then concluded the BIG theme running through Hawthrone's stories. It's about the actions we make in this life on earth and the consequences we must endure head on. Hester and the Minister (in the Black Veil) both were punished for their sins or crimes on earth. It was difficult because they spent most of their lives paying their dues. They understood that it is best to contemplate your worst instead of waiting for God in the after life to judge you. In the conclusion Hawthrone explicitly explains his personal theory on "crime" and punishment. So in his own words, "Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!"<br>